2017 Covered California Silver 73 Rx Benefits

One of the most popular Health Plans, the Covered California Silver 73 plan includes a $250 individual Rx deductible ($500 for families) and minimal copays per script after the Rx deductible is met.

You pay…

Individual

$250 Rx deductible

Family

$500 Rx deductible

Tier 1 (generic) Rx Copay

$15 not subject to Rx deductible

Tier 2 (preferred brand) Rx Copay

$50 after Rx deductible

Tier 3 (non-preferred brand) Rx Copay

$75 after Rx deductible

Tier 4 (specialty) Rx Copay

20% up to $250 per script after deductible

Rx Deductible

The Rx deductible works similarly to any deductible. In order for your coverage to kick in, you must first pay for services up to the amount of the deductible. Once the deductible is met, your health plan benefits will kick in and you will only have to cover the cost of the copay for your Rx. However, it’s important to remember that paying into you Rx deductible does not count toward your plans medical deductible and vice versa. They are always separate.

Rx Maximum

If you take multiple medications, expensive medications or you experience a year in which you need a lot of prescriptions the most you will pay for anything in a year (prescription drug costs included) is the out-of-pocket maximum which is $5,700 for an individual or $11,400 for a family on the plan.

What does “per script” mean?

Coverage is generally calculated per script or each time the prescription is filled for up to (but not exceeding) a 30 day supply of the drug. For a 1-30 day supply the “per script” cost would have to be met once. For a 31-60 day supply the “per script” cost would have to be met twice. For 61-90, three times. Etc.

In the case of the Silver 73 plan, only Tier 4 (specialty) drugs are subject to the “per script” rule.

Example 1:

You’re prescribed a Tier 1(generic) drug by your Doctor that costs $100. You will only pay the $15 copay since Tier 1 (generic) drugs are not subject to the Rx deductible.

Example 2:

You’re prescribed a Tier 2 (preferred brand) drug that costs $500. You will pay $250 to cover the Rx deductible and the $50 copay. Your total cost is $300.

Example 3:

You’re prescribed a Tier 4 (specialty) drug that costs $5,000. You will pay $250 to cover the Rx deductible and 20% of the remaining cost up to a maximum of $250. So, the total you will have to pay for the $5,000 Rx is $500.